APPIC

Member Site Information

APPIC Member Number:	2587
Program Type:	Internship
Membership Type:	Provisional Membership
Site:	Central Valley Behavioral Health
Department:	Ascend Behavioral Health
Address:	1781 E. Fir Ave. Suite 101 Fresno, California 93720
Country:	United States
Metro Area:	Not Applicable Not Applicable
Distance from Major City:	150 miles south of Sacramento, CA
Phone:	559-472-3371
Fax:
Training Director Email:	annie.fujikawa@sierrameadowsbh.com
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address:	https://www.ascendbh.com/training-program/
Brochure Website's Address:	https://www.ascendbh.com/training-program/
Primary Agency Type:	Private Outpatient Clinic
Additional Agency Types:	Child/Adolescent Psychiatric or Pediatrics
Member of APPIC since:

Accreditation

APA Accreditation	Not Accredited
CPA Accreditation	Not Accredited

Internship Staff/Faculty Information

Training Director:	Annie Fujikawa
Chief Psychologist:	Jason Christopherson
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty	4
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty	0

Position Information

Start Date:	06/29/2026

	Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class:	14
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class:	0

	Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class:	33280
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class:	0

Fringe Benefits:	Dissertation Release Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above):	Professional liability coverage.

Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site	Interns should expect the day to involve some combination of: leading/co-facilitating group therapy, individual and/or family sessions, crisis intervention, intake assessments, and completing documentation. Multiple days per week will involve attendance at didactic training sessions, case consultation sessions, group supervision sessions, and individual supervision sessions.

Does this site have practicum psychology students on site?	Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum Students	Yes
Masters Psychology Practicum Students	No
Do Psychology Interns/Postdocs Have the Opportunity to Supervise Practicum Students?	Yes

Is this program fully affiliated with one or more doctoral programs?	No

Is this program partially affiliated with one or more doctoral programs?	No

Internship Application Process

Accepting Applicants:	Yes
Application Due Date:	11/15/2025 11:59 PM EST
Interview notification date:	12/15/2025
Tentative interview date:	01/16/2026
Interview process description:	Interviews are offered as both in-person or virtual options. An in-person or virtual interview is required to continue with one’s application for internship. In-person interviews are held as a group interview day in order to reduce the burden of scheduling. In-person interviews are conducted on either one of the last two Fridays in January, and prospective interns who prefer in-person interviews will coordinate with the Director to determine which day the interview will occur. In-person interviews are a structured, organized, partial day process where a group of applicants will attend from 8:30am to 3:00pm. During this process the applicant will experience a minimum of two individual interviews with members of the Internship Training Committee, two group didactics, and a company orientation. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and food restrictions must be communicated with the Training Director ahead of the scheduled interview date. Once both interview dates have concluded, the Internship Training Committee will meet and discuss the applicants to determine rankings. Rank ordered results will be submitted in accordance with APPIC deadlines and policies. Our organization follows all rules and policies of the APPIC and NMS process. Virtual (internet audio/video technology mediated) interviews are scheduled individually with each candidate who selects that option. Interviews will be held with multiple members of the internship training committee. Scheduling for virtual interviews occurs between January 1st and January 31st of each year. No ranking of internship candidates will occur until all in-person and virtual interviews are completed. In-persona and virtual interviews are weighted equally in the selection process. Virtual interviews provide decreased opportunities to familiarize the applicants with the environment and grographic location, but are beneficial when in-person interview barriers would exclude the opportunity for application to the program.
How to obtain application info:	Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program:	Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs:	Alliant International University, Biola University, California Baptist University, William James College, California Lutheran University, Palo Alto University, University of San Francisco, University of Saint Thomas

Internship Applicant Requirements

US Citizenship Required:	Yes
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required:	Yes
Canadian Citizenship Required:	No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in Canada is Required:	No
Masters Degree Required:	No
Comprehensive Exams Passed:	Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Proposal Approved:	Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Defended:	No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Does your program require applicants to submit supplemental materials (i.e., an assessment report and/or a case/treatment summary):	Yes
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable):	3

Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types

Clinical Psychology	Accepted
Counseling Psychology	Accepted
School Psychology	Accepted
APA-Accredited	Accepted
CPA-Accredited	Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited	Accepted
Non-Accredited	Accepted
Ph.D Degree	Accepted
Psy.D. Degree	Accepted
Ed.D. Degree	Accepted

This institution, department, internship, or postdoctoral program requires trainees to sign a statement about personal behavior and/or religious beliefs as a condition of admission and/or retention in the program:	No
How to obtain text of statement:
Other Requirements:	https://www.ascendbh.com/training-program/

Program Description

Central Valley Behavioral Health (CVBH) is a Professional Psychological Corporation in the State of California. Located in Fresno, the fifth largest city in the heart of California’s agricultural center, the San Joaquin Valley, our organization is a leading provider of mental health services to patients from nine years old through adulthood. CVBH is one of several companies operating under the leadership and direction of the Chief Executive and Owner/Founder, Dr. Matthew Tatum. The umbrella company includes Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health, Ascend Behavioral Health, Oasis Eating Disorder Recovery and Shine Mental Health.

Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health (SMBH)

SMBH was the beginning of a vision to bring intensive mental health services for moderate to severe psychopathology to the Central San Joaquin Valley of California. At the time of its opening, SMBH operated the only Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and subsequent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for primary mental illness in the area. SMBH treats adults with a wide range of psychopathologies, diverse backgrounds, and unique personal experiences. SMBH operates two Residential Treatment Centers (RTC) for adults with severe mental illness. The two houses are 6-bed co-ed facilities operating 24/7 in-patient programs.

Ascend Behavioral Health (ABH)

ABH operates mental health services to pediatric populations across the entire spectrum of care. It began with an adolescent IOP in 2019 and has grown to include an adolescent PHP, a Junior IOP, and an adolescent Residential Treatment Center. Patients range in age from nine to 17 years of age and include a wide range of diagnostic psychopathologies ranging from moderate to severe in intensity.

Oasis Eating Disorder Recovery (Oasis)

Oasis is the fulfillment of a goal to bring eating disorder treatment to the Central Valley and is the only operating intensive outpatient treatment program for eating disorders in nearly 200 miles. Oasis opened in the fall of 2022 and operates a PHP and IOP program focused on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of moderate to severe eating disorders for adults and transitional aged youth (TAY).

Shine Mental Health (Shine)

Shine, our newest program opened in 2023, expanded our services offered to include dual diagnosis treatment for adults. Patients at Shine typically step down from residential substance abuse programs and have the need for abstinence based substance abuse treatment as well as mental health treatment. Shine operates both PHP and IOP levels of care.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:	Yes
Adolescents:	Yes
Adults:	Yes
Family:	Yes
Older Adults:	Yes
Inpatients:	Yes
Outpatients:	Yes
LGBTQ+:	Yes
Ethnic minorities:	Yes
Spanish-speaking:	Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students:	Yes
International Students:
Rural:	Yes
Urban:	Yes
Low income:	Yes
People without housing:
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment:	Experience (21% to 30%)
Individual Therapy:	Experience (21% to 30%)
Couples Therapy:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Family Therapy:	Experience (21% to 30%)
Group Therapy:	Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison:	Experience (21% to 30%)
Crisis Intervention:	Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Brief Psychotherapy:	Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Long-term Psychotherapy:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Evidenced Based Practice:	Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Evidence Based Research:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision of Practicum students :	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology:
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Physical Disabilities:
Learning Disabilities:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Developmental Disabilities:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Assessment:	Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Adult:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Neuropsychology-Child:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Serious Mental Illness:	Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Anxiety Disorders:	Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Trauma/PTSD:	Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse:	Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Substance Use Disorders:	Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics:	Emphasis (31% to 49%)
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Multicultural Therapy:	Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments:	Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation:
Supervision:	Experience (21% to 30%)
Research:
Administration:	Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary:	Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Integrated health care - specialty:
Other:

Additional information about training opportunities: Not all rotations or training experiences may be available as described in the APPIC Directory. Please consult the program's application materials or their website at: https://www.ascendbh.com/training-program/ for a complete description of the training opportunities available at this training site. IF the site has not updated their information by August 1, feel free to contact the Training Director for additional information.

Summary of the Characteristics of the Specified Internship Class

	2024-2025	2025-2026
Number of Completed Applications:	18	43
Number of applicants invited for interviews:	18	32
Total number of interns:	5	14
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs:	5	14
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs:	3	2
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs:	2	12
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs:	0	0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program	5	13
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program	0	1
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program	0	0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written		0
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written		37

Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)

	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
Academic teaching:	0	0
Community mental health center:	0	0	1
Consortium:	0	0	0
University Counseling Center:	0	0	0
Hospital/Medical Center:	0	0	1
Veterans Affairs Health Care System:	0	0	0
Psychiatric facility:	0	0	0
Correctional facility:	0	0	0
Health Maintenance Organization:	0	0	0
School district/system:	0	0	0
Independent practice setting:	0	0	1
Other (Academic Psychology Department):	0	0	0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data:

Department : Ascend Behavioral Health

Populations

Treatment Modalities

Experience